Three Phase Power Calculation Formula

3-Phase Power Formula:

\[ P_{kW} = \frac{V \times I \times PF \times \sqrt{3}}{1000} \]

Power (P_kW): kW

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1. What is Three Phase Power Calculation?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in kilowatts (kW) for a balanced three-phase electrical system.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine the actual power consumption in three-phase circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ P_{kW} = \frac{V \times I \times PF \times \sqrt{3}}{1000} \]

Where:

\( P_{kW} \) — Real power in kilowatts
\( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
\( I \) — Line current (amps)
\( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
\( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases and the phase relationship between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Three Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper equipment sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage in volts, line current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). Power factor must be between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing how effectively current is being converted into useful work.

Q2: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Industrial loads typically range from 0.7 to 0.95. Motors often have 0.8-0.85 PF, while purely resistive loads have 1.0 PF.

Q3: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage (phase-to-phase voltage).

Q4: What if I have single-phase power?
A: For single-phase, use P = V × I × PF / 1000 (without the √3 factor).

Q5: Why divide by 1000?
A: This converts the result from watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W).